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Superpowered: Transform Anxiety into Courage, Confidence, and Resilience

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The first of its kind! This how-to book from two psychology experts--packed with fun graphics and quizzes--will help kids transform stress, worry, and anxiety by uncovering their inner superpowers. Perfect for fans of The Confidence Code for Girls and Raina Telgemeier's Guts .

Now more than ever, kids need to feel empowered as they work through anxiety and low self-esteem. With its helpful, hands-on suggestions and tips, SUPERPOWERED will be embraced by every kid with insecurities, worries, and anxious thoughts.

Renee Jain (founder of GoZen!) and Dr. Shefali Tsabary (New York Times bestelling author and Oprah contributor) make readers the superheroes of their own stories. They introduce a toolkit of easy-to-understand methods for recognizing anxious behaviors, identifying the root causes of worried thinking, and realizing that strength can be found in reclaiming one's inner superpowers.

With the help of humorous artwork and interactive elements, readers find their POWER (an acronym that inspires mindfulness and resilience practices) and gain lasting mental strength.

336 pages, Hardcover

Published September 22, 2020

153 people are currently reading
1485 people want to read

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Renee Jain

18 books10 followers

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5 stars
144 (46%)
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106 (34%)
3 stars
50 (16%)
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5 (1%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
Profile Image for Paula M.
587 reviews624 followers
October 4, 2020
Before starting this, I would like to mention this is a review from someone who was diagnosed with severe Anxiety and still experiencing it. Before the tour hosts let us sign up for this tour, we were also asked first if we will comfortable to read such book as it may triggering for some which I personally liked.

To be honest, I feel bad for giving Superpowered a 3 star rating as I feel like if I've read this when I was younger, I probably would've given it MORE than a 5 star rating. But I'm afraid I am not the target audience for this book so I would like to clarify that Superpowered isn't a bad book at all. In fact, even as an adult, I found it quite helpful. The was they simplified the meaning of anxiety and how it was  described when you were experiencing it without downplaying it was, in my own opinion, accurate. I also truly enjoyed the fun illustrations that comes with every chapter and explanation. On top of that, the authors included fun activities that will also help the young readers to understand what they just read. 

Another thing that I really liked about this book is how realistic their sample scenarios were, these are examples that I am 100% sure our readers experience or will be experiencing. The way the book was written as well is not at all "preachy" and it feels like just having a normal conversation with someone which I know will work well with the young readers.

Its been said from the previous reviews as well but using JKR as an inspirational figure did not sit well with me. This doesn't erase the said persons struggles but I believe that there are a lot more public figure that couldve been used.

Other than that, I would really recommend Superpowered to parents if you're looking for more tools to help you in making your child understand anxiety and managing them, same goes for educators and librarians out there. 
Profile Image for Omar Taufik.
240 reviews11 followers
February 5, 2021
I first came to hear about this book while watching Dr Shefali Tsabary (co author in this book) YouTube series "Viral Wisdom" during the 2020 Covid-19 lockdown. Dr Shefali continuously referred to the book during the series as a tool to help with anxiety and dealing with life challenges, especially where children and teenagers are involved. So just before the end of the year I decided to put it on top of this year 2021 reading list and I started the year reading this book.

The main theme of the book is that difficulties are a natural part of life. We feel worried about many things including normal daily non dangerous things. When all of those feelings swirl together, it is called anxiety.
On the other hand, we are all born with a special set of powers called superpowers ;
P : Present
O : Original
W : Whole
E : Energized
R : Resilient
These powers can supercharge us through life to help fight stress, worry, and pressure .. and help us with anxiety.
But, through the process of "Shoulding" these powers are "Zapped" and transformed/replaced with self limiting insecurities;
Present replaced with What-iffing
Original replaced with Camouflaging
Whole replaced with Cocooning
Energized replaced with Fried
Resilient replaced with Iced

The first part of the book explains this theme in the first three chapters (Power, Zapped, Shoulded) with a fourth chapter named "Messenger" which explains the role of the worry messenger and how to properly deal with and benefit from this messenger.
The authors named the first part "The Truth" in which they list down a set of truths and concepts as a foundation for the book.

The second part named "Shed the Shoulds" is about dealing with the Transformed Superpowers/The Shoulds. What makes them worse and what strategies do work.
The sooner we can shed the should and get worry focused on real dangers, the sooner we can focus our energy on becoming superpowered.

The third part "Superpowered" is about restoring the "zapped" superpowers. It is about the secret "fuel" that activates and charges each superpower, and how to increase this fuel to work for your benefit;
Present fueled with Mindfulness
Original fueled with Inner Voice
Whole fueled with Belonging
Energetic fueled with Meaning
Resilient fueled with Mindset

The authors end the book with a useful glossary of the terms/concepts mentioned and introduced in this book which could work as a valuable reference for the reader.

This is a self help book written in a simple, creative, and innovative style. The authors merged both experience and talent in order to arrive with this output in a suitable manner for teenagers and preteens not mentioning parents alike .
It is a well written, informative, and also fun to read book for all ages.
Profile Image for Loc'd Booktician.
428 reviews391 followers
September 29, 2020
This book was definitely made with young people in mind and has so many user-friendly exercises for students. Please get this book for your young reader today.
Profile Image for Ahtiya (BookinItWithAhtiya).
429 reviews102 followers
Want to read
October 6, 2020
I wish I’d had this book when I were younger because it probably would have saved me so much time and heartache. Even as an adult, I found SUPERPOWERED to be incredibly relatable and helpful. There are several interactive moments throughout the book that allow readers to take a moment, process the helpful information they’re just been given, and then learn how to apply it to the real world. I’ll be honest: I did a lot of the interactive pages, and they were fun! This is a book I would recommend to parents, guardians, teachers, and anyone who comes in contact with tweens as the perfect gift. This book is definitely backed by a TON of research, time, and personal stories, and it shows throughout the book. I found myself learning things about anxiety that I never even knew, and I’m glad this book exist in the world.
Profile Image for Pam.
9,815 reviews54 followers
July 23, 2020
I received an electronic ARC from Random House Children's Publishing through NetGalley.
Every school should have a copy of this book. It's a welcome tool for counselors to support students with anxiety. The authors provide information in an easy to read format. Readers will see themselves in the various scenarios used throughout the chapters. The acronym - POWER - is simple to remember and provides another method for kids and young adults to take control of their own responses and reactions.
The graphics work to support the provided information.
Students can read through this on their own or with small groups. As the authors state, having a trustworthy adult go through with them may support further growth and understanding.
Profile Image for decklededgess.
667 reviews34 followers
October 9, 2020
I’m giving it a 3 stars until I figure out if i’m angry enough with all the other stuff to give it 2 instead. This was deeply disappointing. The biggest stand out being not a single one of these tactics took into account how all the ~unimportant outside pressures~ are actually systemic barriers for marginalised youth that they CANNOT simply disregard. All of these address internal anxieties and not a single external stressor. And the lack of repetition that this is not a cure all and that a therapist is the best option for help is just... careless at best and arrogant at worst. Oprah’s stamp of approval only serves to make me MORE skeptical of their credibility.
Profile Image for Em Keeler.
121 reviews
April 4, 2024
Be still my 10-year-old anxious heart!!! What an amazing resource for kids and parents (and inner-child-healing adults).
Profile Image for Victoria.
184 reviews
May 24, 2022
Technically, I just listened to her 2-hour interview about her book, but I wanted to remember what I read…

Expect, allow, and talk back to anxiety (helpful to personify anxiety). Respect “I am safe”

“What if-ing” zaps our ability to be present.
Combat that - ask “is that really true? to bring the spiral-effect back to reality.
Meditation, mindfulness. Breathing!

Different personalities (what is unique about you). Story telling - look at our lives and tell a bigger story.
Talk about the world, talk about family history.

“Fitting-in” zaps our ability to be whole. Our thinking become inaccurate with anxiety.
Finding your why. What do you want to contribute to the world?

5 C’s — check worried thoughts, catch them,
Collect, challenge, change.

Cocoon — hiding our abilities for fear of failure. Don’t want to show imperfections; don’t want to take risks. Can’t grow if you don’t take risks.

“Under the duck” - on the surface, it looks easy for them. But, the had to paddle and work hard to get there!
“Flip the switch” - from jealously to admiring other’s talents.

Kid become FIRED - thinking their worth is based on the n accomplishments, “should-ing”,
Attaching these “shoulds” to their character.

Live with purpose, have a reason to wake up in the morning.

Find your FLOW
Good sleep bubbles - sleep is SO important!

Repeat - “I am safe”

“Choose your mindset”
Profile Image for BrocheAroe.
257 reviews44 followers
October 3, 2020
This book – part-inspiration, part-instruction manual, part-workbook – is what every child and adult needs to read NOW. It shows us we’re not alone in our anxieties (especially in our world today!) and reminds us/teaches us the skills we need to not only make it through the day, but to actually thrive in life by tapping into our superpowers of courage, confidence, and resiliency.

Not all anxieties are the same, and the authors are aware of that. We each have different anxieties about different things in life, and our feelings manifest themselves in different ways, too. This must be why the book offers many different activities for us to work through and different methods for us to try applying to our daily lives, to see what will work best for our individual needs.

There were so many moments that reminded me of how I had felt as a child, and many other moments I identified with even as an adult! No one is too old or too young to start learning these skills, to think through these exercises, and to harness their power, rather than letting their anxieties take over.
Profile Image for Chrisdee.
318 reviews6 followers
January 25, 2021
This was a great book and a very different take on transforming your anxiety. The multiple lessons with activities, that were actually so doable!, really hit each point home and allowed my daughter to see how these tools could be beneficial. Is it a cure for anxiety? No. Because anxiety is something you overcome, not cure. I have looked back at this book multiple times for myself as well. Even though this book does say it's for 8-12 year olds , I think 10-12 is probably the better fitting range here.
Profile Image for Monica.
154 reviews
August 4, 2023
It took about 2 months to read this book with my 11-year old son who was just diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. We both learned so much about anxiety and got a ton out of this book. I enjoyed reading it with him as we stopped often to discuss points of the book and how to relates to our everyday lives. Great book for kids but as a Mom I got a lot out of it too.
Profile Image for nicholas smith.
10 reviews
November 7, 2021
i enjoyed this book a lot. not only did it teach me about things i was alone on, but they put little activities to do throughout the book. this book talks about different situations and how you can learn to control them in a positive way.
Profile Image for sparkypink.
232 reviews
September 7, 2020
When I first saw that this book was over 300 pages, I was nervous, and thought no teen would ever read something that long about anxiety. It was written very well, as if the authors were talking directly to the teens instead of just reciting a bunch of medical facts about anxiety.

There are plenty of illustrations throughout that help drive in the message. There are sections that encourage the reader to reflect and write down answers to various questions as they work their way through.

I think this book will be an extremely valuable resource for any teen or adult who is struggling with anxiety. In fact, as soon as I finished it, I pre-ordered it so I can have a copy myself to share with a family member who I think would benefit from reading this book.

I received a digital ARC of this book thanks to the publisher and NetGalley.
Profile Image for Carol Youssif.
201 reviews5 followers
July 9, 2020
Give this book to every counselor and school psychologist you know! For good measure, give it to teachers too!
Good graphics and tons of activities in addition to easy-to-understand examples and analogies that will help tween readers accept and deal with their anxiety and stress.
Profile Image for Nabila S..
182 reviews40 followers
October 5, 2020
Couldn't have picked up Superpowered at a better time. With everything going on in the world & in India at the moment, I have been experiencing bouts of despair and intense anxiety for a week now.

The book was definitely written with children in mind but is insightful & consists of various helpful exercises and ways to deal with anxiety I believe even I would benefit from, as an adult.

I cried while reading it last night because as the book says people tell you, "it'll be okay" and you know it's true in some measure but you have to ride the waves of anxiety alone and just knowing you're not the only person feeling like this gives you a little relief even if it's just figures in a book.

I have read a few self-help books on anxiety as I have been struggling with it in varying degrees for about 5 years. This one I could relate to a good deal because my anxiety stems from a lot of the same reasons mentioned.
I wish I'd read it sooner last month so I could've included the effects of the exercises now.

Nonetheless I definitely plan on getting a physical copy so I can write down in the book as I'm meant to. I think it'd be a great help to kids with anxiety and parents/schools should definitely get it for young children.

Thought I should add: It mentions JKR as an inspirational figure in just a small paragraph.
Profile Image for Carolina Colleene.
Author 2 books53 followers
October 7, 2021
Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: G; Violence: G
If you’ve ever felt anxious, stressed, or overwhelmed, Jain and Dr. Tsabary are here to help. They’ve done all the research, and they know that you have superpowers to overcome your worries. Let this book be your guide to unlocking your powers and refinding your true self!
Jain and Dr. Tsabary don’t pretend that our anxiety doesn’t exist or isn’t hard to live with. They validate the struggles their readers are going through and literally empower their readers by teaching them how to develop skills to face challenges. This is not a book to read and set aside; the interactive exercises help readers practice what Jain and Dr. Tsabary propose, proving that we can save ourselves with these superpowers. I love everything about this book, from the sciencey stuff to the illustrations, and am excited to implement these ideas in my own life.
Reviewed for https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/
Profile Image for Tamara.
899 reviews11 followers
November 14, 2021
“Don’t believe every worried thought you have. Worried thoughts are notoriously inaccurate." Renee Jain

Superpowered is chockful of ideas on combating anxiety. All of the ideas are doable and they don’t require a lot, just the ability to be open to good and positive change.

Even though Superpowered is geared towards young people this book can be read by all ages, and you can still take away great ideas on how to transform this really uncomfortable feeling into something that propels you to something you didn’t think you could accomplish. The emotions and the feelings you are experiencing feel like you’re being ambushed but it’s about making choices about your decisions and thought processes. It’s a great way to learn to use your courage, confidence, and reliance to build a better thought life. Recommended.
Profile Image for Adriana (SaltyBadgerADii).
433 reviews21 followers
October 6, 2020
This was such a fun book and very very informative! This was a really fast and fun read, on a very life altering topic. Learning how to handle you anxiety and manage it will always be tough, but this book helps young reads view it in a different way. I love the terminology the came up with, definitely fitting for someone half my age, and I mean I might start using it too. It has illustrations that also help the reader visualize what they are talking about, or even how they might be feeling. Which honestly soon as I was able to identify my anxiety for what it was was a big part of the management. I can see this being very helpful for someone who is younger and doesn't necessarily fully understand what they are currently going through.
Profile Image for Jen Medos.
98 reviews6 followers
October 28, 2023
I would like to know what age this was written for. I’m wondering if it’s appropriate to give to my 8 year old but I think it’s aimed at kids a little older.

I do appreciate the book as a good resource for teaching kids how to change their mindsets and use positive thinking however, sometimes I wonder if I’m/we are introducing them to concepts that they wouldn’t have worried about on their own? Not sure if that makes sense… if you tell a child how to deal with anxiety, are you highlighting “anxiety”?

Would love to know what other parents/kids have thought. Overall definitely a solid, positive read. I didn’t identify any major red flags. I will give to my daughter when she’s a bit older.
249 reviews
February 7, 2024
This book is a vital resource for young people and teens navigating today's increasingly stressful world. Rain offers practical coping strategies to help readers confront and manage anxiety, empowering them to live authentically and build resilience. The book emphasizes the importance of understanding what is truly real and shifting mindsets to recognize that a fight-or-flight response is not always necessary. Rain provides readers with actionable techniques to calm anxiety and develop confidence, courage, and resilience. Moreover, she highlights the significance of finding a sense of belonging as a critical factor in building a fulfilling life. This book is an invaluable guide that equips young readers with the tools they need to navigate life's challenges with strength and authenticity.
Profile Image for AnnaM.
11 reviews
August 14, 2025
I liked this book enormously and that is because it has not only all sorts of explanations about stress, anxiety, self esteem. How they impact our health and lives if we don’t see them from a better angle that can actually help us improve our lives, but it also presents many exercises and practical advices that can help a person throughout their personal development process and stages. It can definitely help people improve their life’s quality and can also hep adults guide children and teen in a much more organised manner.
But the truth is that I might need to read it again in order to store the information, to be able to use it later.
Anyway, I recommend it!
Profile Image for Lysette H.
127 reviews4 followers
October 9, 2020
Superpowered is an excellent way to help kids (and, frankly, adults) deal with anxiety and stress through understanding what causes it, how the body responds, and how you can work to change your mindset and move forward. Though the concept of "superpowers" seemed a little cliche to me, the authors used the theme well and incorporated many great exercises throughout the book to make it even more understandable. It seemed a little long, but the clear scenarios and graphics made it worth it. I hope there's a sequel workbook in the making.
Profile Image for Katy L..
174 reviews2 followers
January 22, 2021
My 9yo and I really enjoyed reading this together at bedtime! It has given us some common language to turn to when discussing emotions, especially Wisty the Worrier. It was also a great tool for self-reflection for myself, as I realized just how ingrained in me is the idea that stress is bad! My son and I both saw improvements in how we handle our feeling of being overwhelmed at times, reframing it more positively. I expect we’ll come back to sections again and again, so I’m glad we went ahead and purchased it rather than check it out from the library.
Profile Image for Melissa.
27 reviews2 followers
March 18, 2021
Superpowered is an engaging, accessible book perfect for upper elementary and middle schoolers to learn about and take charge of their anxiety. Jain and Tsabary break down complex brain science and physiological studies into bite sized, actionable pieces. The beautiful graphics breakup the text and provide more options for learning. Exercises can be completed right in the book keeping it interactive and reinforcing the newly presented skills. Superpowered is a great resource kids (or their parents) can visit again and again to grow their POWER.
Profile Image for Evan Kostelka.
506 reviews
April 20, 2023
A book written for those in middle school or high school, I would have loved to have some of these tools when I was in that stage of life. Would I have used them? Not sure. But if you can give these tools to younger kids, you may shorten that time to learn self calming skills.
The authors break down their book into a few parts with the opening, problems, and solutions. The chapters on problems detail how different anxieties appear in everyone. The solutions chapter has a lot of practical advice with a bonus PDF to help practice.
Even for adults, this book can be transforming.
Profile Image for Gabby.
198 reviews7 followers
January 27, 2024
This book is geared towards pre-teens and teens. However, as a 30-something adult, I found this book to be validating and informative.

I found the exercise of “Wisty” to be very beneficial! All exercises mentioned are aimed at getting your feelings out, making sense of them, and turning the story around. They are easily completed by children of middle school age and up.

My only complaint is that the book is LONG. It is relatively easy to read, but lengthy.
Profile Image for Lócas.
3 reviews
July 10, 2025
"Super powered: transform anxiety into courage, confidence and resilience” is a book writen Dr. Shefali Tsabary and Renee Jain. This book says how anxiety need to be in space, how to transform anxiety into super power. The book is awesome because it can have lessons to the whole life. Is fun by seeing the people happy by the images. I recommend to everyone with anxiety, because it can help you about the awesome facts.
Profile Image for What Angela Reads.
165 reviews3 followers
October 1, 2020
This was a great book! It's the kind of book I wish I would have had access to as a child with severe anxiety. It would have been very helpful. This will be a necessary addition to all school libraries and counselors offices. Also a great recommendation for booksellers when parents are asking for books on the subject.

My full review and blog tour stop including an interview with the authors will be available on my blog 10/2/20
Profile Image for Ned Andrew Solomon.
254 reviews3 followers
October 29, 2021
I have read several books that tackle the issue of anxiety, and this book, aimed toward younger readers, is extremely well done. Packed with age-appropriate graphics, strategies, and activities, the authors do a great job of explaining how we can be completely blocked by anxiety and stress, and how we can begin turning the stories we tell ourselves around into positive growth. Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews

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